Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of appropriating and using the ideas, writings, or works of original expressions of another person as one's own without giving credit to the person who created the work. This may encompass portions of a work or an entire work. Works of original expression include but are not limited to papers, speeches, poetry, movies, videos, protected pieces of art, illustrations and musical compositions.

Plagiarism can result from either deliberate dishonesty or ignorance of citational procedures. Deliberate plagiarism is especially serious and warrants more severe sanctions, but even plagiarism based on ignorance of procedures is a punishable offense, especially when it occurs more than once. Any student who seeks clarification on what constitutes plagiarism should consult the pamphlet "Plagiarism Explained" which is available at the SJU and CSB Writing Centers.

Plagiarism is an act of dishonesty and violates the mission and spirit of the educational enterprise at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. It also violates the rights of other students.

I. General Procedure

An instructor suspecting a student of academic misconduct must meet with the student and present evidence of the specific offense.

If the student agrees that the alleged act of academic misconduct has occurred, a penalty is determined and a written acknowledgment specifying the offense and the penalty is signed by the instructor, the student and a third party witness to guarantee that the student has been shown the agreement and has read it. The evidence of academic misconduct and the written acknowledgments are then placed in a closed file in the office of the Academic Dean.

If in spite of the evidence presented by the instructor the student maintains his or her innocence, the student may contact the Assistant Dean/Director of Academic Advising and request that an appeals process be initiated (see Appeals Process below). In such contested cases it is the responsibility of the student to provide detailed information demonstrating that the assignment in question is the product of his or her own work, or evidence refuting the allegations presented.

By refusing to view the evidence, or by refusing to acknowledge having viewed it, a student will not prevent imposition of the instructor's recommended penalty nor prevent the case from going into the closed file.

The penalty determined by the instructor (or by the Academic Dean in cases of a second or third offense) will stand unless and until the student is found innocent on appeal.If the student is found innocent on appeal the material will be removed from the closed file and destroyed.

A student accused of academic misconduct who maintains his/her innocence has the right to remain enrolled in the course while the appeal process is pending.

The closed file located in the Academic Dean's office will be destroyed two years after a student has graduated. In the cases of students who transfer to other institutions, or who for other reasons leave the College of St. Benedict or St. John's University without graduating, the closed file will be destroyed five years after the student's departure.

The proof of guilt in an earlier offense does not imply any assumption of guilt when a student is accused in a future case.

II. Consequences

Penalties for academic misconduct vary according to whether the case involves a first or a repeat offense, and according to the character of the offense itself. If the evidence of academic misconduct comes to light only after course grades have been turned in, the instructor may change the course grade retroactively.

First Offense

The penalty for a first offense of academic misconduct is failure of the course in which the academic misconduct occurred. This penalty may be reduced at the instructor's discretion.

The process of written acknowledgment and closed file described in section I will be implemented.

If a student commits two acts of academic misconduct nearly simultaneously it is at the Academic Dean's discretion whether they are regarded as one or two offenses.

Second Offense

The instructor should follow the general procedure indicated above. Following this, the Academic Dean will be aware that this is not the student's first instance of academic misconduct, and because of the increased gravity of the situation, will consult with the instructor and other parties deemed necessary to learn as much as possible about this instance of misconduct. The student will fail the course in which the academic misconduct occurred.

The student may be suspended or expelled from the college. This decision will be made by the Academic Dean.

The process of written acknowledgment and closed file described in Section I will be implemented.

If a student commits two acts of academic misconduct nearly simultaneously it is at the Academic Dean's discretion whether they are regarded as one or two offenses.

Third Offense

The instructor should follow the general procedure indicated above. Following this, the Academic Dean will be aware that this is not the student's first instance of academic misconduct, and because of the increased gravity of the situation, will consult with the instructor and other parties deemed necessary to learn as much as possible about this instance of misconduct. The student will fail the class in which the academic misconduct occurred.

The student will be expelled from the college.

The steps of written acknowledgment and closed file described in Section I will be implemented.

Appeals Process

The appeal process for academic misconduct is initiated by a student through a formal request made to the Assistant Dean/Director of Academic Advising.

The student is given an opportunity to provide detailed information related to the academic misconduct and disputing the evidence presented. The student may present any or all of the following:

a prepared, written statement rebutting the evidence;

material evidence that supports the claim that the work is the student's own and that documents the process by which the assignment in question was generated

the testimony of any others who may have been involved in the incident

The Assistant Dean/Director of Academic Advising will review the materials and evidence presented by the student and request further clarification from instructor(s) and/or the student as needed and consult the Academic Dean as needed.

The Assistant Dean/Director of Academic Advising will notify the student and the instructor as to the outcome of the appeal. The decision of the Assistant Dean/Director of Academic Advising is final.